AVSI Proposal Software Landscape: D-tools, XTEN, Portal.io, Jetbuilt

How does AVSI keep up with the growing demand for faster proposals, accurate pricing, and seamless project delivery? Why do so many teams still struggle with scattered tools, outdated spreadsheets, and manual workflows when automation and integration are transforming every other industry?

As the AV industry becomes more competitive, the proper proposal software can make or break efficiency from quoting and design to project execution and invoicing. As a result, various tools such as Jetbuilt, D-Tools, XTEN-AV, and Portal.io have emerged as the go-to solutions, each offering unique strengths tailored to different workflows and team sizes.

However, how do you determine which one truly suits your business with so many options? How can you integrate your chosen tool with your existing systems, such as Zoho CRM, Books, or Projects, to ensure a unified and automated flow from sales to delivery?

This blog will explore the current AVSI proposal software scenario, compare the top tools used by industry professionals, and explain how OfficeHub Tech helps you bridge these platforms seamlessly within the Zoho ecosystem.

Challenges Faced by the AVSI Teams

The AVSI industry is growing rapidly, but many teams continue to face challenges that hinder their progress and impact their profitability. As clients expect faster, more accurate proposals, AVSI companies need efficient tools to overcome these recurring issues and streamline their daily operations.

• Unclear Pricing and Disorganized Catalogs

Many AVSI firms struggle with constantly changing dealer pricing and scattered product catalogs. When pricing information is not updated regularly, teams risk sending inaccurate quotes to clients. This not only confuses and loses revenue but also affects customer trust and the company’s overall brand reputation.

• Slow Proposal Turnaround

Creating proposals manually takes a significant amount of time and effort. Teams often rely on spreadsheets and email threads to prepare quotes which slows down their response to client requests. As a result, businesses lose valuable opportunities simply as they cannot respond as quickly as their competitors.

• Disconnected Systems and Poor Communication

Another major challenge is the lack of integration between sales, project, and finance systems. When these departments operate independently, information is duplicated or lost, resulting in errors and delays. This disconnect makes it more challenging to manage projects efficiently and maintain a seamless client experience.

Which is the Right Tool for the AVSI Workflow?

The proper proposal software can completely transform how AV System Integrators manage sales, design, and project workflows. In fact, each tool offers unique strengths designed for different needs.

D-Tools (System Integrator) — Precision and Control for Complex Projects

D-Tools is a robust platform built for detailed engineering and enterprise-level workflows. It stands out for its ability to combine proposal creation, system design, and documentation within a single environment. This makes it ideal for mid-to-large AV integrators who handle complex projects that require precise drawings, structured documentation and coordinated purchasing.

Unlike lightweight quoting tools, D-Tools provides advanced reporting, change order management, and procurement features that keep teams aligned from design to installation. It also integrates with business systems and allows data to be exported from D-tools to Zoho applications, reducing duplicate data entry and improving accuracy. If your team manages multi-phase projects with high technical requirements, D-Tools delivers the structure and control you need to stay efficient and compliant.

XTEN-AV — Smart Automation for Faster Design and Documentation

XTEN-AV takes a modern approach by utilizing AI and automation to streamline the creation of drawings, proposals, and documents for AV teams. With its intelligent tools such as XAVIA, X-DRAW and x.doc, users can automatically generate professional layouts and project files in a fraction of the time it would typically take. This automation streamlines repetitive manual tasks and enables teams to respond to client requests more efficiently.

As a cloud-based solution, XTEN-AV enables easy collaboration among designers, engineers, and sales teams. The platform offers flexible subscription-based pricing and a free trial which makes it accessible for companies of all sizes. Therefore, XTEN-AV is an innovative and forward-thinking solution for AV firms seeking to enhance efficiency through intelligent automation and standardized proposal formats.

Portal.io — Simple, Fast, and Catalog-Driven

Portal.io focuses on simplicity and speed which makes it an excellent option for smaller integrators and reseller networks. It comes with an extensive preloaded product catalog, including verified pricing from leading manufacturers such as Snap One (formerly SnapAV). This means users can quickly build accurate proposals without manually updating product details or pricing information.

The platform’s user-friendly interface enables sales teams to create, share, and obtain proposals approved with digital signatures all in one place. Portal.io also integrates with CRMs like Zoho and accounting systems through Zapier and API integrations to allow data to flow smoothly across tools. Therefore, Portal.io delivers an efficient and reliable solution for AV businesses that value quick proposal turnaround and minimal setup.

Jetbuilt — Fast, Reliable, and Visually Polished

Jetbuilt is known for its speed and simplicity to help AV professionals create professional-looking proposals in just a few minutes. It utilizes a catalog-driven quoting system that automatically retrieves live dealer pricing, eliminating the need for teams to search through spreadsheets or emails for updated costs. This not only saves time but also ensures every quote is accurate and consistent.

The platform’s clean interface allows users to build, edit, and send polished proposals with ease whereas built-in project management tools help track progress after the sale. Another key advantage of Jetbuilt is its flexibility in integration. It easily connects with CRMs and accounting software through APIs and integrates with the Zoho ecosystem via partner connectors. Therefore, Jetbuilt offers an excellent balance of power and ease of use for small and mid-sized AV companies seeking to streamline their proposal process while maintaining a professional approach.

How to Choose the Right Tool?

Though all four platforms aim to simplify proposal creation and project management, the right choice depends on your business goals and workflow.

• If you need detailed engineering documentation and strong procurement control, D-Tools is the ideal choice.
• If you want AI-powered automation to accelerate design and documentation, go for XTEN-AV.
• If you prefer a simple, catalog-driven solution with partner pricing, Portal.io is the best option.
• If you value speed and presentation quality, Jetbuilt is a great fit.

Many AVSI firms also use a hybrid approach. For example, combining Jetbuilt’s fast quoting with XTEN-AV’s automation, or integrating D-Tools’ engineering detail with Portal.io’s catalog simplicity. The key is ensuring smooth connections between your proposal software, CRM, and financial systems, which is where integration partners like Office Hub Tech play a vital role.

How does Office Hub Tech help AVSI Firms?

OfficeHub Tech provides a Turn key Solution For AV System Integrators (AVSI) by simplifying the connection between their proposal software and the Zoho ecosystem. OfficeHub Tech ensures that data such as client details, project estimates, and invoices flow smoothly across Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and Zoho Projects through smart integrations and automation. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the chances of errors or mismatched information between systems.

Additionally, OfficeHub Tech offers an AI-powered Zoho ERP solution for AVSI businesses, seamlessly integrated with Your Existing Proposal Tools Like D-Tools, XTEN-AV, Portal.io, and Jetbuilt. This intelligent setup streamlines every step—from quoting and project design to installation and billing—creating a unified, automated workflow.

Moreover, the team at OfficeHub Tech customizes each integration to suit the firm’s specific workflow. For example, proposals created in Jetbuilt or D-Tools can automatically update client records in Zoho CRM and trigger project creation in Zoho Projects once approved. This seamless connection enables AVSI teams to manage their entire sales-to-installation journey within a single, unified platform.

Additionally, OfficeHub Tech provides ongoing support and optimization to ensure that as your business grows, your tools continue to work in sync. Therefore, OfficeHub Tech helps firms save time, improve visibility, and achieve greater efficiency across every stage of their operations by bridging the gap between AV proposal platforms and Zoho applications.

FAQs

Are mobile versions available for AV proposal tools?

Many offer cloud and mobile access for on-the-go proposal management.

Do these tools support international pricing or currencies?

Most platforms allow global currency and region-specific pricing configurations.

Is training or onboarding required to use AV proposal software?

Most providers offer onboarding, tutorials, and customer support to help teams get started.